HONG KONG (SE): The Bishop of Beijing, Joseph Li Shan, participated in vespers in the chapel of the diocesan curia on Monday, November 13, to begin his “reciprocal visit” to the Diocese of Hong Kong. Earlier in the day, Stephen Cardinal Chow, sj, Bishop Joseph Ha, ofm, and other members of the curia welcomed Bishop Li and the delegation at the Diocesan Centre on Caine Road, Hong Kong.
At the cardinal’s office, Bishop Li and Cardinal Chow exchanged souvenirs to mark the historic visit. The bishop presented a stained glass image of Venerable Matteo Ricci to Cardinal Chow, while the cardinal presented an image of Ss. Peter and Paul, delicately painted on a white wood panel to create a three dimensional relief effect on he saints halos and other symbols, to Bishop Li.
On November 14, after the concelebration of Holy Mass in the Curia Chapel, the Beijing delegation visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the diocesan centre, and met with cathedral parish representatives.
Praying Vespers in the chapel of the curia
Cardinal Chow (right) and Bishop Li (left) exchange souvenirs. Cardinal Stephen is receiving a a stained glass image of Venerable Matteo Ricci.
Cardinal Chow (right) and Bishop Li (left) exchange souvenirs. Bishop Li is gifted with an image of Ss. Peter and Paul, delicately painted on a white wood panel to create a three dimensional relief effect.
The delegation at the conference room on the 4th floor of the Catholic Diocese Centre on November 13.In the afternoon they visited the seminarians at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Aberdeen, to get to know more about their life there, where they also celebrated Mass.
Bishop Li and the delegation are slated to visit other diocesan offices during their visit.
On November 4, speaking to the media after the thanksgiving Mass to mark his elevation to the cardinalate, Cardinal Chow expressed the hope that Bishop Li’s visit would lead to deeper understanding and greater human connections [Sunday Examiner, November 12].
“Everything starts with humanity first, not by structure or by policy, [but] human connection. And this time when Bishop Li Shan comes down to Hong Kong, that’s also confirming the human connection,” the cardinal said.
